{
  "id": 6460793,
  "title": "NHL rumors: The closest 'comparable' for Ducks' Cutter Gauthier's next contract",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/nhl-rumors-the-closest-comparable-for-ducks-cutter-gauthiers-next",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-09T19:16:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/nhl-rumors-closest-comparable-ducks-191659242.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Anaheim Ducks’ young star, Cutter Gauthier, is set to enter a new contract negotiation period following a standout sophomore season where he scored 41 goals in 76 games. As an unsigned restricted free agent, Gauthier remains unsigned as training camp approaches. Connor Bedard’s new five-year, $75 million deal with the Chicago Blackhawks has emerged as a key benchmark in discussions about Gauthier’s potential contract. The Ducks, who matched a monstrous five-year, $90 million offer sheet from the Philadelphia Flyers for their own restricted free agent, Leo Carlsson, are now facing a more challenging negotiation landscape. With Bedard’s contract, which carries a $15 million average annual value (AAV) through the 2031-32 season, serving as a comparable, Gauthier’s contract could see a significant raise after his impressive second season. Although the Ducks have committed substantial funds to their young core, securing Gauthier’s long-term future is a top priority for general manager Pat Verbeek before the 2026-27 season kicks off on October 2 against the Vegas Golden Knights.",
  "summary": "Cutter Gauthier emerged as one of the National Hockey League’s most lethal goal scorers in 2025-26, scoring 41 goals in 76 games in his sophomore campaign. The Anaheim Ducks are going to have to pay up to keep the young star around long term — but that hasn’t happened yet. The 22-year-old remains an unsigned restricted free agent with training camp […] The post NHL rumors: The closest…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}